Cute, funny, and full of imaginative adventures, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a solid pick for families looking for something on the opposite end of the Deadpool and Wolverine spectrum at the movies.
Harold and the Purple Crayon Review
In 1955, author and illustrator Crockett Johnson introduced the world to Harold, an adorable child who with the help of his magic purple crayon could create anything he imagined. Nearly 70 years later, the famed children’s book is getting a big screen adaptation but it doesn’t follow Harold the child but rather Harold the adult. Opening with an animated sequence that breathes life into the famous illustrations, viewers are taken into a world where anything is possible and introduced to Harold who is now all grown-up.
Harold and the Purple Crayon the movie, much like its source material, is cute, funny, and full of delightfully zany adventures. The ensemble cast works well to elevate the material and give the proceedings some genuine heart. In line with Johnson’s aim for his books, the film doesn’t try to be more than a simple story about the power of imagination and the delight we feel when we create. There is no overstuffed plot or heavy sentimentality and thankfully no romantic subplots between the lead actors. All in all it’s a solid choice for families looking to enjoy a movie night together.
After the voice of the narrator, Alfred Molina aka The Old Man, falls silent, Harold (Zachary Levi) tells his friends Moose (Lil Rel Howery) and Porcupine (Tanya Reynolds) that he wants to go find him. He has questions only the voice can answer such as why was he created? The only way to get the information he is looking for is to go to the real world. Porcupine is ecstatic but Moose is more reluctant. Harold is not deterred and quickly draws a door labeled “Real World” and walks through it. He falls through the magic portal and lands in Providence, Rhode Island, as a real person, followed shortly afterwards by Moose and Porcupine who also get turned into people. Here is where the fish-out-of-water story begins in a cross between Enchanted and Elf.
After causing quite the stir in the local park, he is a grown man in onesie, Harold and Moose jump on the newly drawn tandem bike in order to find the Old Man. In this world, just like in the book, anything Harold draws comes to life, much to the amazement of Mel (Benjamin Bottani), the son of recently widowed Terry (Zooey Deschanel) who after hitting the pair with her car invites them to stay the night. This ability to bring to life anything and everything naturally infuses the entire film with fun, something that director Carlos Saldanha makes the most of.
The concept isn’t a new one: an adult person has found themselves in the real world after leaving their animated/fantasy one. They are incredibly lost when it comes to navigating the challenges of our reality but thanks to some unlikely friends they manage to make the most of it. Their infectious joy ends up having a positive effect on the people they meet. It might sound derivative, but Harold pulls it off thanks to the talent in front of and behind the camera. Levi is charming and earnest as the naive Harold who causes chaos with his crayon wherever he goes. He nails the whole I don’t know how to act like a “real” adult thing quote well, something he also showed off in Shazam!
Deschanel’s Terry is Jovie if she never met Buddy. She is working in a department store (that is not the best job ever Harold) and has lost the zeal for life after the loss of her husband. Now she simply goes through the motions just trying to take care of herself and Mel. She is also unmoved by Harold’s antics for the majority of the movie. Howery’s Moose ended up being my favorite character in the film. He is cautious yet appreciative of everything, infused with a sweet sincerity thanks to Howery. Levi and Howery also prove to be a great match, playing off each other’s energy well.
Another standout is the villainous and hilariously funny “Library Gary” (Jermaine Clement) who has aspirations of becoming a fantasy writer. No one is interested in his novel starring a hero with an unpronounceable name but they are curious as to why the love interest is clearly based on Mel’s mom. It’s clear that Gary will do anything to get his hands on Harold’s crayon, desiring the power it holds in order to see his own dreams come true. This of course leads to an inevitable climatic battle between Harold and Gary that involves a literal quickdraw showdown. Each is trying to outdraw the other in a fight reminiscent of one between Merlin and Madam Mim in The Sword and the Stone, and it is as entertaining as it sounds.
Saldanha, an animation veteran who helmed multiple Ice Age outings, keeps the plot moving along, never trying to be heavy handed with the messaging. He uses Harold’s magic to fill the screen with exciting visuals and his personality to ensure there is rarely a moment without some sort of humor. I genuinely enjoyed the antics even if some were fairly obvious in their setup.
Verdict
Ultimately, Harold and the Purple Crayon is a charming, sweet, and fun adventure that the whole family can enjoy together. It’s full of heart as it tells us a story about empathy and the power of creativity. The antics are never too over the top but delightfully zany and perfectly at home in a story about a magic crayon. Levi’s contagious joy and genuine comedic performance is sure to capture the attention of even the youngest audience member while also amusing even the more cynical adults. Some critics might bemoan its simplicity but I found it all to be refreshing. Maybe they missed the memo about finding joy in life but I didn’t.
Harold and the Purple Crayon is now in theaters. It is rated PG for mild action and thematic elements with a runtime of 1 hour 32 minutes.
